BID AT THE LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS

Asia ... A Few of My Favorite Things

Ladies Who Lunch, with the Legendary Letitia Baldrige

Maureen Dowd: Essential Reading

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Tee Time at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club

This Week with George Stephanopoulos

The live and silent auctions are highlights of the Celebration of Hope & Progress gala and key to its fundraising success. Absentee bids are welcome. If you are interested in donating an experience to the auction, please call (202) 364-7696.

Silent bids are welcomed by e-mail at sibleyfoundation@sibley.org. Please include your name, daytime phone number, auction item and maximum bid. If the bidding for your desired item does not reach your maximum offer on the night of the gala, you will "win" the item at the highest price below your bid.

The 2009 auction block presented unique experiences such as:

Adamson Prints

Make a favorite photograph special with David Adamson's unique print-making technique. David founded one of the first digital ateliers in the world, and has worked with artistic giants such as Chuck Close, Annie Leibovitz and Jim Dine. For more information, go to the Adamson Gallery website.

Asia ... A Few of My Favorite Things

Julian Raby, the eminent director of the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, will guide you and a guest on a tour of "some of his favourite things" throughout the museum. Cap off this remarkable experience with lunch at the Mandarin Oriental's Café Mozu with Mr. Raby. For more information, go to the Smithsonian website.

A Bicycle Built for You

A celebrated Sibley physician wants you to become the proud owner of his extra- lightweight Merlin bicycle; the very one that Robert Sloan recently rode in the inaugural Ride to the new Sibley. Tune up these wheels of wonder with a gift certificate to Revolution Cycles. And there's more ... you will receive the one and only Ride to the new Sibley jersey autographed by the entire team of cyclists.

Colbert Report

Calling all Stephen Colbert fans. Get a forthright view of the day's news with 2 VIP tickets to The Colbert Report, which tapes Monday through Thursday in the heart of New York City. All guests must be 18 years or older. Spend the night in the nearby Marriott Marquis. For more information, go to the Colbert Nation website.

Colorado Escape

Retreat to the beauty of Colorado to enjoy a stay in a condo just 3 blocks from the Aspen Gondola. The condo accommodates five and is available for seven days, with the exception of Christmas week, at a time convenient for both you and the owner.

The Crown Jewel

If you can imagine it, Jorge Adeler can create it! Enjoy lunch with world traveler and famed jewelry designer Jorge Adeler and together design a custom piece of jewelry with a $2,000 gift certificate to Adeler Jewelers. You will be dazzled by Adeler's unique collection of luminous gemstones, diamonds and pearls. For more information, go to the Adeler Jewelers website.

Fishing on the Potomac

Sibley's very own Jerry Price and Richard Tehan will take you and one guest on the Potomac to find schools of bass!

Flower Power

Jack Lucky, Washington DC's premier floral designer, will create four floral arrangements for each season of the year. Most of the product he uses is bought directly from the auctions in Holland as well as other product from South America, New Zealand and Thailand, which ensures the utmost freshness, quality and variety of product. For more information, go to the Jack Lucky website.

Football "Suite" Dreams

A courtesy limousine will be arranged for you and up to 5 more football fans for a luxury drive to FedExField. You will then experience the Redskins excitement from a premier sky suite. The chosen game will be mutually arranged between yourself and the host. No need for a parking pass -- the limousine will await your departure. For more information, go to the Washington Redskins website.

Golf with a Pro

You and two guests will golf with Robert Sloan, Sibley's President & CEO, on a date and course that is mutually agreed upon.

Hit the Trails

Escape the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC with a five-night visit for four to the H F Bar Ranch, a renowned dude ranch located in a pristine valley on 9,000 acres bordering Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest. For more information about its quaint private lodging, fine rustic gourmet food and outstanding horseback riding, go to the H F Bar Ranch website.

Horsing Around

Form a team of four and challenge a Mystics player to a game of "Horse" during the 2010 basketball season. This auction experience includes two autographed jerseys originally worn by Washington DC superstars: Washington DC Mystic Alana Beard and Washington Capital Alex Ovechkin.

Ladies Who Lunch,
with the Legendary Letitia Baldrige

Hostess extraordinaire Nina Pillsbury presents a luncheon for eight with the legendary Letitia Baldrige as guest of honor. For more information about Ms. Baldrige -- who is universally recognized as the country's leading authority on executive, domestic and social manners -- go to the Baldrige & Lewis website.

Maureen Dowd: Essential Reading

Be in the know! Quintessential journalist Maureen Dowd is presenting a reading experience -- a selection of her favorite books for your enjoyment and edification. As a special keepsake Maureen is also providing two of her own books. All books are autographed. For more information, go to The New York Times website.

Meet the Press

You and a guest are invited to see a live taping of Meet the Press with David Gregory and then meet the moderator and his news-making guests. President John F. Kennedy once called Meet the Press the "fifty-first state." Since then, every man who has occupied the Oval Office has appeared on the program. For more information about NBC's venerable television institution, which has been on the air for more than 60 years, go to the Meet the Press website.

Miami Time Out

Get a kick out of this Miami get-away weekend that includes two VIP tickets to the NFL's annual Pro Bowl and a 3-night stay -- Friday, January 29; Saturday, January 30; and Sunday, January 31 -- for two in deluxe accommodations at the Four Seasons Miami. For more information, go to the NFL Pro Bowl website.

A Night on the Town

A memorable Washington DC evening for two on Friday, March 26 features a 1-night stay in deluxe accommodations at the Four Seasons with a three-course dinner and Sommelier's selection of wine in Bourbon Steak, and two orchestra seats for the Washington National Opera's production of Porgy and Bess. This is a perfect occasion to don your sparkling new Moyna evening bag. For more information, go to the WNO website.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Acclaimed photographer Barbara Glaeser will create a portrait of your "first family." You will have the opportunity to work in tandem with the photographer to celebrate your family and create a portrait of a lifetime. Ms. Glaeser specializes in the photography of families, children, infants and pets and will offer many artistic styles for your portrait. For more information, go to the Barbara Glaeser website.

Sensational Color

There are more colors in the spectrum than the Beltway’s "Reds" and "Blues." Consult with color pro Kate Smith, founder of Sensational Color, to bring color to your home, wardrobe or business. For more information, go to the Sensational Color website.

The Stallion

Magnificent, late 18th-century painting of a chestnut stallion with a docked tail, representative of horses of that time period. Landscape, oil on canvas, 38" X 50". Provenance: Kentshire Galleries, NY.

Taste of India

Experience our region's finest Indian cuisine throughout the year! Enjoy dinners for 4 on nights of your choosing at Bombay Tandoor in Tysons Corner, Delhi Dhaba in Bethesda and Tandoori Nights in Arlington or Gaithersburg.

Tee Time at Innisbrook Resort
and Golf Club

Skip town to indulge in a four-day, three-night Preferred Golf Package for four people in a two-bedroom suite at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.
For more information about one of America's top meeting and golf destinations -- including four nationally recognized courses on 900 acres -- go to the Innisbrook website.

This Week with George Stephanopoulos

A unique opportunity to see a taping of this quintessential Sunday show at the Newseum. You and up to three guests will watch the show from the control room aand then go on set to meet George Stephanopoulos! Included are gift bags with This Week mementos. Bring your camera and get your picture taken with George! For more information, go to the This Week website.

Washington DC Racquet

Mark your calendar for the Legg Mason Tennis Classic! Enjoy two premiere box seats for the semi-finals and finals at the Classic -- DC's only international tennis tournament. This package includes parking passes and dinner for two for each event at the tent lounges. The tournament is scheduled July 31 through August 8, 2010. For more information, go to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic website.

The Wright Dinner

James V. Kimsey, co-founder of AOL, will host a dinner party for you and five of your guests in his famed Marden House -- the spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright home nestled over the Potomac River in McLean, Virginia. History will come alive as Mr. Kimsey shares the background of the house as you dine on an epicurean dinner provided by Occasions, Washington DC’s premier caterer. For more information, go to the Washington Life Magazine website.